Aircraft-based Prognostic, Robust, Intelligent Management of Electricity Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Topic No.: N103-203 Topic Title: Aircraft-based Prognostic, Robust, Intelligent Management of Electricity Proposal No.: N103-203-0329 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Photonic Systems Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100 Torrance, California 90501 Contact: Robert Kunc Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development goals for intelligent, fault-tolerant, and robust aircraft power management, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Aircraft-based Prognostic, Robust, Intelligent Management of Electricity (AIR-PRIME) system. This proposed system is based on solid-state high-power switching, intelligent heuristic algorithms, and a robust control electronics design. The innovation in electronics design and prognostics will provide enhanced power distribution system reliability, safety, and maintainability, reducing Navy manpower and repair costs. POC's proposed AIR-PRIME can gracefully handle a wide range of faults, provide prognostic information about aircraft equipment, and protect equipment in real time. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of AIR-PRIME by fabricating a small-scale prototype equipment network and power distribution system powered by a COTS power supply, yielding a TRL-4 prototype. In Phase II, POC will improve the heuristic database detail and depth, control electronics complexity, and solid-state driver design, and develop a MIL-SPEC housing with performance characteristics similar to current avionics equipment such as radar and power equipment, identifying a suitable integration infrastructure for AIR-PRIME. Benefits: Successful development of the AIR-PRIME system will benefit the U.S. Navy and the U.S. economy by providing an intelligent, prognostic, and fault-tolerant high-power distribution system, which is currently provided by low tech systems incapable of gracefully recovering from faults or predicting equipment failure. Additionally, AIR-PRIME can be used to protect delicate high-power equipment with greater effect than current solutions. This technology will allow for improved maintenance of power systems (in or out of aircraft), allowing the Navy to improve system reliability and safety, and also reduce costs associated with maintenance, acquisition, and failure of high-powered electronics. AIR-PRIME can extend existing power management systems, which will reduce costs and increase performance in industrial and commercial environments where uptime is key. The government will benefit from improved technologies, increased tax revenue and employment rates-made possible by newly enabled business ventures. Commercial sectors will benefit from lower operating costs and increased reliability. These technologies will directly translate into improved military technology capabilities and will provide the private sector with a lucrative technology. Return